Your since, for the present, my dear Miss Markland, will nothing affect your father, who has little or no personal interest in the matter, but may serve me materially.

Say, then, that, until you hear from me again, on the subject, you will keep your own counsel." "You say that my father has no interest in the business, to which you refer ?" remarked Fanny.

Her mind was bewildered.
"None whatever.

He is only, out of a generous good-will, trying to serve the son of an old business friend," replied Mr.Lyon, confidently.

"Say, then, Fanny,"-- his voice was insinuating, and there was something of the serpent's fascination in his eyes--"that you will, for my sake, remain, for the present, silent on the subject of this return from the South." As he spoke, he raised one of her hands to his lips, and kissed it.
Still more bewildered--nay, charmed--Fanny did not make even a faint struggle to withdraw her hand.